Today, Congressmembers Brian Higgins (NY-27) and Eric Massa (NY-29) renewed their push for Individual Assistance for Western New York residents and businesses impacted by the severe floods that hit the area in August. Public Assistance, which will provide aid to municipalities, was made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a result of Tuesdays Presidential Disaster Declaration.

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and Congressman Eric Massa (NY-29) announced that President Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) formally approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Western New York areas impacted by the severe floods that hit the area most significantly August 8 - 10, 2009.

Orchard Park – Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) toured Cobham’s Orchard Park facility, Carleton Technologies, to see firsthand how local manufacturers are working to keep our military safe. Recently, Cobham was awarded a $110 million Army contract to provide the military with cooling system technology.

“Today one of America’s iconic families lost their patriarch, Congress lost a conciliator and this nation lost a leader and pioneer on issues like health care that reach to the core of American values. I had the opportunity to meet Senator Kennedy on a number of occasions in Washington, DC and during his visit to Buffalo, NY. The lawmaker whose tenure stretched nearly five decades and ten presidencies was respected for his ability to put people before politics and purpose before partisanship. Perhaps the greatest tribute we as a nation can provide is to forge ahead on the issues important to America the Senator so passionately pursued. As Kennedy himself said nearly 30 years ago, ‘the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.’”

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that Western New York has been awarded federal grant in the amount of $607,957 from the U. S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

US Senator Charles E. Schumer, Congressman Eric Massa (NY-29) and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) sent a letter to President Obama today requesting swift approval of a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Western New York areas impacted by the severe floods that hit the area most significantly from August 8 - 10, 2009.

Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Company will receive $62,458 in federal Homeland Security funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP).